# childhood

/ˈtʃaɪɫdˌhʊd/ (US) · /tʃˈaɪldhʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/childhood
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the time of being a child

noun · CEFR A2

the years of your life when you are a child, before you become an adult.

For teachers: the chronological period of a person's life from birth or infancy to the beginning of puberty.

- She spent most of her childhood living in a small house by the sea.
- Many psychologists argue that the experiences we have during early childhood significantly shape our personality and social behaviour as adults.

Usage: Often used with possessive adjectives like 'my childhood' or 'her childhood'.

### 2. early development

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the very beginning or early stages of something new.

For teachers: the initial or formative stage of development of an abstract concept, organisation, or movement.

- The internet was still in its childhood when he started his first company.
- The space programme was in its childhood during the 1950s, with scientists still debating the basic physics of orbital mechanics.

Usage: Usually used metaphorically to describe non-human entities.

## Examples

- I had a very happy childhood in a small village.
- Many of her most vivid memories come from her childhood spent living near the coast.
- Sociologists often examine how a stable childhood provides the psychological foundation necessary for navigating the complexities of adult professional life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.